There are lots and lots of things you need to do when self-publishing a book, from writing it in the first place to sorting out the financial side of things. The list below is by no means an exhaustive representation of what you need to do when self-publishing a book, but hopefully it offers a small insight into getting started as an independent publisher…

Learn the basics

Think you understand publishing? Even so, it never hurts to go right back to the beginning and make sure you have all the knowledge you need to publish your work. Pretend you’re a complete newbie when it comes to publishing. Learn the fundamentals, from how e-book pricing works to how to format your book. No independent publisher can get very far without them.

Set targets

Giving yourself targets to work towards can help you to develop some sort of structure or plan for what you want to achieve. Your first target, for instance, might be to get your book ready for publication. You might want to understand more about royalties. Later on in the process, you might have marketing and sales targets. Breaking it down like this can make the process more manageable and give you tangible things to work towards – as well as clear achievements.

Question, question, question

Don’t be satisfied with the first draft of your book. Question it and edit it until you’re happy. Don’t be satisfied with any old editing/proofreading/cover design/formatting service. Question the skills and qualifications of the people offering their services and make sure you get a good deal and a professional service. Believe in yourself, by all means, but don’t forget that along the way you need to question your knowledge and take steps to fill in the gaps where necessary.

Try not to think too hard about the odds

Whether you go for independent publishing or traditional publishing, the odds are stacked against new authors. Try not to think too much about it; just focus on what you’re doing. There are plenty of people who’ll say that self-publishing will never get you anywhere, but you never know. If you write a good book and market it well, it could get you somewhere. You could beat the odds.

Seek out the best sites and services

The internet is a great place to learn about self-publishing and find services that can help you in the process of publishing your book. Do your research and make sure you find out about the best resources. Their help could be invaluable.

Network

If you want your book to sell, people need to know about it. Network with as many people as you can, from readers to industry professionals, all of whom could help you along the way.

Keep up with developments

Finally, never forget that independent publishing is a fast-moving industry that changes and develops all the time. Brush up on the latest news so you can keep up to date with what’s going on and ensure that you’re able to respond where necessary when it comes to your own work.

What do you think are the most important things you need to do when self-publishing a book?